Rituals for Unwinding as a Freelancer
As a freelancer, it can be difficult to unwind and separate work from the rest of your life. With our phones, you are easily accessible or on call. Even after the “workday” is done, you’re likely still worrying about clients’ needs. Sometimes you’re dealing with the unpredictable cash flow in between projects. The very nature of the freelance industry means that you can end up working and hustling 24/7, and this can be extremely stressful!
For freelancers, it is important to create mindful rituals or routines in our days so that we don’t burn out. Here are a few rituals that can help you unwind and recharge.
Connect with fellow freelancers:
One of the best things about being a freelancer may be the fact that you can work at home by yourself, instead of having to commute to an office with coworkers to talk to daily. But just because you don’t work in an office, or you work at home alone, it doesn’t mean that you can’t build a community of like-minded individuals to bounce ideas off of. Create or join a network of freelancers that you can connect with for advice or learn from. It’s nice to know to have a sounding board of people who may be going through the same thing.
Get physical and stay healthy:
Sometimes we’re so busy trying to deliver projects on time to our clients, we get so wrapped up in working and suddenly its 6 pm and we’re still sitting in the same spot. It’s common that freelancers won’t leave the house for an entire working day. You got the job done, which is great, but you had zero physical activity or nutrition all day long! Make it a priority to break up your workday and give yourself a lunch OUTSIDE of the house. Whether that’s a walk around the neighbourhood with your sandwich in hand, or a lunch date with a fellow freelancer (see above) — moving around and eating well is important. They are both crucial to maintaining our energy levels and mood throughout the day.
Take care of yourself:
Create a clear distinction between your workspace and your personal space. This might mean taking a day off from work, just to recharge with a spa day or massage. Some freelancers have specific days during the week where they don’t answer emails or work because they are “offline,” simply to break up their workweek. Others may create a clear distinction at home in terms of physical space, using their bathrooms as a designated space to slow down and pamper themselves. Taking a long bath at the end of the night, with a glass of wine and a podcast or movie? What an ideal scenario. As freelancers, we’re always on the go but it’s nice to slow down. Another (potentially drastic) step? Turn off your phone or put it on airplane mode for an hour. Take an hour to yourself to let your stress levels get back to a tolerable level while giving your brain and emails a rest.
Image Credit: Nicola Jane Creative